› added 5 years ago

127

TIL that in 1665, the University of Cambridge temporarily closed due to the Bubonic plague. Isaac Newton had to work from home, where he used that time to develop calculus and the theory of gravity.

Read more edu.pe.ca

via reddit.com

XEBAX TIL that US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq is world's largest (almost of the same size as Vatican City). It houses its own power station, water & sewage treatment, internet and phone network, gym, cinema and sports facilities. Also has 6 apartment buildings for employees.
rRKw4 TIL of Joe Maggard. He lied for years through the media that he portrayed Ronald McDonald in the 90's (he was actually only a lighting stand-in for 2 commercials). He was convicted in 1999 of making harassing phone calls - he would always pose as Ronald and call people, scaring and threatening them.
69718 TIL that Blue-eyed people are more likely to become alcoholics. A gene lying near the OCA2 gene on chromosome 15 carries a mutation that leads to increased alcohol tolerance, and thus a tendency to drink too much.
86Nb TIL that the vibrator was invented for doctors who suffered from fatigued wrists and hands after giving female patients orgasms in order to treat hysteria
QJEy9 TIL that David Bowie was a huge fan of the show “Peaky Blinders,” and let the creators hear his final album “Blackstar” a week before its existence was made public. They honored his devotion and subsequent passing by incorporating “Lazarus” into the 3rd season.